Dear Readers,

What inspires you? I often marvel at the productivity of some writers and wonder what motivates them to accomplish great work in relatively short amounts of time. I’ve heard various answers from different sources and decided to share with you what I have found so far that has worked for me as I strive to complete my third book in the Izzy Walsh series.

The first thing is setting. I need sunshine. I learned this several years ago when I moved into a lovely century home with cozy corners and mood lighting–and very few windows. As lovely as it was in the evenings, it almost drove me off the edge during the day. I felt like a cave dweller, deficient of vitamin D and completely unaware of the world around me. A few years of that I knew I had to move or I’d be suffering from seasonal affective disorder (SAD) daily–regardless of the time of year. Now I sit by the window everyday to write and appreciate the sun on my face and the feeling of being close to nature. It gives me a sense of calm and comfort I would recommend to anyone who works alone (not including canine support) and at home.

Secondly, it’s routine. Now, this is more of a personal thing. Some people thrive when they don’t have a regular pattern. But for me, I have certain times everyday, that I sit down and check in with my writing. The kids go to school, the dog lies at my feet, and the coffee fills my nostrils. It is mid-morning bliss and the best time of the day for me to focus. It doesn’t mean I will necessarily accomplish much writing–sometimes I work on my blog (hello), other times I might go over work from the previous day, but I always sit down with the goal to accomplish something. It’s my way of staying on point and keeping the wheels turning despite all the hectic movement that is modern life. I’ve also never had the experience of finding absolutely nothing to do. It might take a few minutes, but something always comes up.

The last of my ideas is engagement. I need to get out of the house and find inspiration in the real world. I belong to Sisters In Crime–the Toronto Chapter. Once a month, I go and listen to the guest speaker talk about whatever it is they have accomplished to be the focus of that particular month’s meeting. Sometimes it’s a successful writer, sometimes it’s a field expert ie. lawyer, police officer, reporter. But getting myself out, listening, observing, and being a part of something is an important part of life, and therefore, an important part of writing. I had the great fortune of going to a special evening arranged by the local library that had five accomplished writers discuss their careers, their methods, and their books. I left the night grinning ear-to-ear. The first thing I did when I got home was pull out my laptop to think about my own work.

So there you have it, dear readers. Any suggestions or comments are always welcome, as usual.

Enjoy the day and keep reading!

Onwards,
Lynn